Concordia University Golden Bears Return To NCAA Title Match

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Golden Bears of Concordia University (36-1) will play for their second consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship on Saturday evening, advancing out of the semifinals after taking a bitterly contested 3-1 win over #3 Grand Valley State (33-4) (25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20).  The 2008 title match features #1-ranked Concordia and #2-ranked Cal State San Bernardino and will be served up at 7:00 pm at the Gangelhoff Center. The 2008 championship match has added intensity as Cal State San Bernardino (30-3) is the only squad to defeat Concordia this season.  The win came in the Golden Bears' season opener.  Additionally, this is the first-ever national title appearance for a Cal State San Bernardino team.  Concordia University will be defending their 2007 national title on their home court, the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minn. The Golden Bears edged out the Lakers of Grand Valley State, taking advantage of passing miscues and also finishing slightly stronger on the defensive front.  With both squads swinging away, defense proved to be the "X" factor in the match.  The Golden Bears had 69 digs to 60 GVSU's 60 and finished with 56 kills to their opponent's 47. To read the complete match notes please click here.